Hearts substitute Graham Weir salvaged an incredible point for the Jambos in a sensational finish to the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian.

Derek Townsley and Tom McManus put the visitors in the driving seat with a goal apiece in the opening 17 minutes.

But Hibs goalkeeper Nick Colgan was fortunate not to receive a second red card in successive appearances when he brought down Andy Kirk.

Instead, Colgan earned a yellow card before Steven Pressley clawed Hearts back into the game from the resultant penalty.

Prolific Jambos' forward Mark de Vries then equalised in the 62nd minute before a phenomenal end to the game.

On loan midfielder Craig James appeared to have granted Hibs all three points in the penultimate minute from a Jarkko Wiss corner.

Then, Pressley appeared to handle the ball in the area to gift Mixu Paatelainen the opportunity to secure the points.

Hearts goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie parried the Finn's effort but Grant Brebner was quick to fire the ball home in the final minute.

However, Hibs had not reckoned on the input of Weir, who had replaced Kirk in the 82nd minute.

It proved to be a tactical master-stroke by Hearts head coach Craig Levein.

Weir slotted home in the third minute of injury time to give the score a little respectability but nobody could have envisaged what was to follow 42 seconds later.

De Vries crossed into the area and the 18-year-old struck home an astonishing leveller.

It was more cruel derby luck for Hibs boss Bobby Williamson who had been on the receiving end of a 5-1 drubbing in August before two late goals allowed Hearts to steal the points in November.

But the Leith side got off to a far better start as they kicked off their first game of 2003.

The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Alan Maybury tried to nod the ball back to McKenzie.

But the defender failed to connect properly and the ball broke to Townsley who rounded McKenzie before slotting home.

Six minutes later, Hibs doubled their lead when a James free-kick was met by McManus and the young striker sent his header off the inside of the post and into the back of the net.

Hearts had chances to pull a goal back and, when that eventually happened it was in dramatic circumstances.

Kirk had been looking dangerous throughout the game and was clear through on goal and looked certain to net until he was hauled down in the box by Colgan.

The Hibs goalkeeper was cautioned by referee Stuart Dougal and the spot-kick was given when many thought a red card would have been produced.

Pressley stepped up for the penalty and rammed the ball high into the back of the net.

Neither manager opted to make any changes at half time, although Hibs defender Paul Fenwick emerged from the tunnel to take his place on the park several seconds after the second half had kicked off.

The pace of the game remained fast and furious as Hearts chased the equaliser and that almost came five minutes after the re-start.

But Hearts' hard work eventually paid off in the 62nd minute when they drew level through De Vries.

The Dutchman managed to meet Steven Boyack's cross to take the ball round Colgan before slotting home at the near post.

Eight minutes from time, Levein played his ace with the arrival of Weir for Kirk.

However, the move did not appear to be a good one to start with as Hibs pulled ahead.

On loan James put Hibs ahead once again when the ball broke to him from Wiss' corner and he bulleted home from just inside the 18-yard box.

The Easter Road side were then awarded a controversial penalty in injury time when the ball appeared to be handled by Pressley on the ground.

Paatelainen's spot-kick was blocked by McKenzie but substitute Brebner was on hand to fire home the rebound.

The points looked secure for Hibs but Weir managed to pull a goal back in the fourth minute of injury time.

The teenager then earned hero status with the Hearts fans when he fired home De Vries' cross 42 seconds later.

Teams

Hearts: McKenzie, Maybury, Pressley, McKenna, Mahe, Boyack (Simmons 75), Severin, MacFarlane (Stamp 65), Valois, de Vries, Kirk (Weir 82).

Subs Not Used: Gordon, Webster.

Booked: Stamp, Simmons, McKenna, Maybury.

Goals: Pressley 30 pen, de Vries 62, Weir 90, 90.

Hibernian: Colgan, Smith, Zambernardi, Fenwick, Orman, Wiss, Townsley (Brebner 65), Murray, James, McManus (Luna 86), Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Caig, Jack, Doumbe.

Booked: Zambernardi, McManus, Colgan, Paatelainen.

Goals: Townsley 11, McManus 17, James 89, Brebner 90.

Att: 17,732

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).